Ray Bradbury's short story, "There will come soft rains", has an exceptional rhetoric appeal of both pathos and ethos. Penned in the 1950's, its author's thought processes are the fear induced dangers of the era; the Cold War. This short story envelopes its readers with images of mass destruction; which in turn counter illicit feelings of despair and bereft sadness.
After reviewing this short story many times, and I do mean many, I was surprised at how many different conflicts were present. Each aspect of the story represented an emotion or view in which to bring the reader in.
Bradbury brings in his readers utilizing pathos, or the appeal of emotion, with the autonomy of the house. The robotic house is reliant upon humans, but yet still maintains its functions, even in the onset of mass societal destruction. Although the house is supposedly emotionless, the reader can feel its need for existence and perfection. Without routine, it too would disappear with all its inner workings.
As the reader is introduced to the house, it starts the days as any other, repeating the date and its location; "August 4, 2026, Allendale, California". This thrice noted intro implies the need for normalcy and continuation. As the house brings in the reader, it almost takes on a humanistic entity, moving forward through the daily routine of breakfast and sending the owner off to work, unaware of the current tragedy. As the short story evolves, its emotional appeal of pathos indulges the reader's fear by bringing in an entity that humans can relate to, the family dog. Although the house recognizes the entity of the dog, it is technologically blind to the radiation poisoning that the dog has succumbed to. With no emotion,the house cleans up the remains of the dying dog, as if it was only a dust bunny, sending it to the incinerator to be disposed of.
Ethos, the second appeal in this short story, brings a sound credibility to Bradbury himself. His personnel fears combined with the onset of living during the Cold War, gives the short story an edge of credibility. Bradbury conveys to the readers the reality of what the end could bring without an intervention.The title that Bradbury chose, "There will be soft rain", implies the quiet, creeping onset of a nuclear disaster, just as that of a soft comforting rain blowing in unannounced, unchanging. Bradbury brings to the story the reality that yes this is a possibility, if we as society,aren't careful. During the Cold War, society feared the unknown and Bradbury brought society the unknown, creating a vision of what would happen to their "perfect life". "There will be soft rain", has the tenure of an author's credibility. Bradbury's own personal fear of a nuclear war offers the authenticity of his resolve.
The utopia of "There will be soft rain", represents the idyllic society of automated houses, perfect afternoons of playing cards, and evenings spent with cigars. Every aspect of this Utopian world is systamatically organized, from the robotic house to the perfect family. A visual of what a perfect life is, unchallenged in every way. As Bradbury picturesquely describes the dust prints of the family, it is rather idyllic that there last moment was together, spending quality time on a perfect afternoon in a perfect world. It is the perfect life with a perfect house, perfect family and even the idea of living in the perfect suburb.
Obvious dystopia is presented through that of a nuclear war. It is this nuclear disaster that brings chaos and measures the synapse of a perfect reality. The autonomy of the house alone, continuing its duties for no one, just to continue the ideology of a perfect world, confronts the reader with the charge of realizing that such an autonomy is non-existent and that facing the truth is divine.
Extra credit response to Joe's Blog:
ReplyDeleteJoe,
Great presentation here. This is an interesting concept to me having been a child of the Cold War era, living through the Cuban Missile Crisis, as well as seeing the development of the technology described by Bradbury,
I can recall the fear during the 50's and early 60's from the stockpiling of nuclear weapons, to the posturing of nations against others, and the unspoken threat of sending one of those true weapons of destruction.
The house itself is indeed a utopic paradise, with robots to cater to the needs of the occupants, up to and including the running of bathwater.
Sadly due to a nuclear incident, the robots of the house perform their duties for a canine until poor Shep succumbs to radiation poisoning and is thrown out with the trash.
I enjoyed reading your blog, and compliment you on the great job!
Joe I enjoyed reading your blog on Ray Bradbury's story. I too had to read this story more than once. I agree with you on the ethos and pathos appeals in the story. I was intrigued with the little robot mice cleaning the house.
ReplyDeleteThe ethos appeal was felt almost immediately once you realized that all human life was gone. I was again saddened by the lone dog that eventually died. This story reminded me of the "Left Behind" series. What would happen to us if the world came to an end today and only those who are saved remained? Reading this may me reflect on how similar these two (three – Left Behind had two) writers works had in common.
The house was a utopia and one I would love to have. I guess in a sense we all have our own fantasies. Having the perfect house that cleans, keeps up with your bills and every important date in your life - what more could one ask for?
As usual you did an outstanding job.